Improvement in machines for charging gas-retorts



Machines for Ch rgihggl GasRetos.

tented Sep. 24, 1872.

Nrrnn Sfrnfrns "fri IMPROVEMENT IN MACHINES FIOR CHARGING GAS-RETGRTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. `131,;"564ydated September 24, 1872.-

To all 'whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, TnOMAs F. ROWLAND, of Green Point, Brooklyn, Kings county, New York, have invented a certain Improvement relatin g to Machinesfor Charging Gas-Retorts, of which the following is a specification:

The revolving scoops in common use, whether working by hand or by machinery, are illy adapted to charge the hat-bottomed retorts, commonly called D-retorts, in general use `in this country. One of the cylindrical retorts of Europe can be filled to a proper height by the inversion of a semi-cylindrical scoop ofa little less diameter; but several repetitions with scoops of small diameter are required for properly charging a D -retort, and the time involved is an important element for many reasons, not the least of which is the long exposure of the retort to the 'cooling action of the atmosphere. I employ a scoop, which is not reversible, and is of a shape to correspond approximately with the interior of the D-shaped retort. It is permanently open at the top, and receives the charge through such opening when withdrawn. It is emptied by the removal of the bottom, in conjunction with peculiar means for retaining the coal in the retort until the withdrawal of the scoop, and for liberating it as the scoop is withdrawn.

Additional details of the invention will appear in the following full description of what I consider the best means of carrying out the invention.

The accompanying drawing forms a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a vertical section on the line S S in Fig. 2, showing the scoop ready to have its bottomwithdrawn to deposit the coal in a retort, not represented. Fig. 2 is a cross-section on the line T T in Fig. l, with an elevation of the carriage, as will be understood.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts in' both the figures. y

A is a substantial carriage mounted on wheels a a, and B is a scoop fixed rigidly to the carriage, and of a proper length and size to enter and nearly fill the entire interior of a D-retort. It will be understood that the same carriage A may have six, or any other number, of the scoops B properly arranged to correspond with` the retorts which are to be charged; and that the carriage may be provided with mechanism for sliding the bottoms ot' all the/scoops simultaneously. I have represented but one, and a description of that, with its adjuncts, will suflice for any number. D is a corrugated cast-iron \botto1n, sliding in grooves provided in the interior of each side of the scoop B. The corrugations extend longitudinally of the bottom; and, excepting these wavy lines and a slight strengthening rib, d, along the middle, the entire upper surface 'is made smooth. The lower side is formed with a stout rack, d', which receives the teeth of a corresponding gear-wheel, E, mounted on a shaft, e, supported in bearings in the carriage A, and provided with suitable means for turning it with proper force when required. A fixed transverse partition, G, is constructed across the scoop B, with its lower edge waved to match pretty closely to the corrugated bottom D. Other partitions, Gl G2, are mounted at intervals across the scoop; but their lower edges are much higher. These partitions brace and stiften the scoop B; and also, in conjunction with the iiap-valves H1 H2, perform another very important function. The flapvalves are mounted on hinges h near the base of the respective fixed partitions G1 G2; and when the coal is introduced -from the charginghopper, not represented, the flap-valves hang down in the position represented in strong lines in Fig. 1. These partitions and valves being thickly introduced keep the coal practically in separate compartments, and any required equality of the charge may be obtai ned by Weighing, Or otherwise nicely graduating the quantities supplied to each compartment.

To charge a retort, the cover or door of the retort having been removed, the carriage, with its scoop B properly filled with suitable coal, is run forward on a track, and the scoop is thereby thrust properly into the retort. Then the gear-wheel E being operated, the bottom D is run out, and the coal in the several compartments is allowed to drop and rest in the bottom of the retort. Meanwhile, until each compartmenthas beenthus emptied, the valves H1 H2 perform the important function of preventing the coal from being drawn out with the bottom. The descent of `the coal after the removal Oi' the bottom brings the upper line of the coal about level with the lower edges of the lixed partitions G1 G2, 85o. Next,

by moving the carriage A backward on its track, the now bottomless scoop B is rapidly and easily Withdrawn from the retort, the nap-valves H1 H2 readily turning in the position shown by the dot-ted lines in Fig. l, to avoid the removal of the coal. The backward movement of the carriage on the track having been completed, the part D having been restored to proper relations With the scoop B, and the valves H1 H2 having again dropped by gravity, another charge of coal is introduced from above, and the apparatus is again ready for service.

It will be readily understood that the partition G which descends quite to the bottom should come just Within the front of the retort. It Will also be understood that the further end of the scoop may have no valve, but the partition at that point should not come so low in any of these as to shake out or seriously disturb the coal. Any irregularities in the surface of the coal as it is deposited in the retort may be evened or smoothed down by the lower edges of the partitions as the scoop is Withdrawn. Y

I believe that the oorrugating of the b0tl tom, and the corresponding form of thevlower edges of the partition G and of the valves H1 H2, are important in practice to give sufficient strength with reasonable Weight; but some ot' the advantages of my invention may be realized with other forms for these parts.

I claim as my invention- Witnesses:

WM. G. DEY, C. RAETTIG.

1. The scoop B, with suitable supporting 

